Package for Consumable Products with Separately Sealed Compartments

ABSTRACT

A package for consumable products is disclosed. The package includes a plurality of subpackages connected together by a connecting member. For instance, the package may contain two subpackages or alternatively four subpackages all connected at one end to a connecting member. The package is particularly well suited to holding relatively large quantities of the consumable product. Because the subpackages are connected at one end, the package may be draped over an adjacent structure, such as a shopping cart. In this way, the package can be placed in a shopping cart without taking up an excessive amount of space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many consumable products, such as paper towels, bath tissue, diapers andrelated products, adult incontinence products, child training pants,feminine hygiene products, and the like are sometimes packaged and soldin relatively large quantities. There are many advantages to consumersfor purchasing these types of products in greater amounts. For instance,these types of products are typically consumed rather quickly and havinggreater amounts reduces the need to return to the store. Anotheradvantage to consumers when buying in relatively large quantities isthat the price per unit is typically less than when buying in smallerquantities.

There are also various advantages to manufacturers in the ability tosell their products to consumers in relatively large quantities. Inparticular, there may be some cost and processing efficiencies inpackaging the products into larger packages. Shipping and handling costsmay also be reduced.

When sold in bulk, consumable products are typically packaged in largerectangular plastic film bags or are sold in cardboard boxes. Due to thesize of these packages, however, the packages can be somewhat difficultfor consumers to carry and hold. Also, such large packages can take upgreat amounts of space in shopping carts limiting the space in the cartfor other products. As such, a need currently exists for an improvedpackaging design for packaging relatively large quantities of consumableproducts. In particular, a need exists for a bulk-type package forconsumable products that is easy for consumers to carry and handle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present disclosure is directed to various packagingconfigurations for consumable products. The packages are well suited topackaging relatively large quantities of one or more consumableproducts, although the packages may also work equally well with smallerquantities. In general, the packages include a plurality of separatelobes or subpackages for holding one or more consumable products. Ahandle may be placed where the subpackages are held together. In thismanner, packages can not only hold great quantities of products but areeasy to carry and handle.

In one particular embodiment, for instance, the present disclosure isdirected to a packaged consumable product comprising an outer packagethat includes a first subpackage spaced from a second subpackage. Thefirst subpackage is attached to the second subpackage by a connectingmember. The connecting member has a width and is made from a materialsufficient to permit the first subpackage to fold adjacent to the secondsubpackage.

A first group of consumable products is contained in the firstsubpackage and a second group of consumable products is contained in thesecond subpackage. In addition, the outer package includes a handle forcarrying and transporting the packaged product.

In general, the first subpackage may have substantially the same volumeas the second subpackage. For instance, the volume of the firstsubpackage may be within about 20%, such as within about 10%, such aswithin about 5% of the volume of the second subpackage. Alternatively,when filled with a consumable product, the weight of the firstsubpackage may be within about 20%, such as about 10%, such as about 5%of the weight of the second subpackage.

The outer package can be made from any suitable material. In oneembodiment, for instance, the outer package may be made from a plasticfilm, a nonwoven web, a coated paper, or mixtures thereof. When using aplastic film, the plastic film may be made from a single polymer layeror may be made from multiple layers of different polymers.

In general, any suitable consumable product may be packaged within theouter package as described above. The consumable products contained inthe outer package may comprise, for instance, diapers, training pants,swimming pants, tissue products, adult incontinence products, femininehygiene products and the like. Each subpackage may contain the sameproduct or may contain different products.

The handle associated with the package can have many different types ofconfigurations. In one embodiment, for instance, the handle may beintegral with the connecting member. For instance, the connecting membermay comprise a first opening spaced from a second opening. The first andsecond openings may cooperate together to form the handle when the firstsubpackage is folded adjacent to the second subpackage.

Alternatively, the handle may comprise a panel attached to theconnecting member that extends in a generally perpendicular directionfrom the connecting member. The handle may define an opening forreceiving the hand of a user.

In still another embodiment, the connecting member comprises a foamsubstrate that has been laminated to either a film or a textilematerial. For instance, in one embodiment, the foam may be laminated toa nonwoven material, such as a meltblown web. The foam may define twoopenings spaced from a fold line. The two openings may cooperatetogether to form the handle when the foam is folded along the foldlines. Each end of the foam connecting member may be attached to thefirst and second subpackages in order to form the outer package. Forinstance, each end of the foam material may be connected to the firstand second subpackages through thermal bonding, adhesive bonding,ultrasonic bonding, or the like.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the handle maycomprise a band that is connected at each end to the connecting member.In this manner, the band forms a handle that can be grasped by a user.

In order to open the outer package, the outer package may include one ormore perforation lines that are designed to be broken open by the userfor removing the contents of the package. For example, the outer packageincludes an exterior surface that defines an inner surface portion andan outer surface portion. The inner surface portion is located betweenthe first and second subpackages when the subpackages are placedadjacent to one another. In one embodiment, vertical perforation linesmay be located on the inner surface portion of each subpackage for lateropening the package. Alternatively, the perforation line may behorizontal or may comprise a combination of vertical and horizontallines. Alternatively, vertical and/or horizontal perforation lines maybe located on the outer surface portion of the outer package.

In still another embodiment of the present disclosure, each of thesubpackages may further include subcompartments. For instance, in oneembodiment, the consumable products contained within the packagecomprise spirally wound tissue products, such as bath tissue or papertowels. The spirally wound products may form columns that comprise oneor more of the products stacked together. The subpackages may includesubcompartments containing a column of the spirally wound product.Further, each of the subcompartments may be separated by perforationlines for removing one column of product from the package at a time asthe product is used by the consumer.

Other features and aspects of the present disclosure are discussed ingreater detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof to one skilled in the art, is set forth moreparticularly in the remainder of the specification, including referenceto the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view with cutaway portions of one embodiment ofa package for consumable products made in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the package shown in FIG. 1placed in a grocery cart;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of the handle on the package asshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of a package made in accordance withthe present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a packagemade in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of still another embodiment of apackage made in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a packagemade in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of another embodiment of a packagemade in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a packagemade in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views of another embodiment of apackage made in accordance with the present disclosure.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification anddrawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features orelements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that thepresent discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, andis not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the presentinvention.

In general, the present disclosure is directed to a package forconsumable products. In particular, the package is well suited toholding relatively large amounts of a consumable product while stillbeing easy to handle and hold. The package of the present disclosure notonly facilitates the ability of consumers to purchase consumableproducts in large bulk, but also provides a package and shippingsolution to manufacturers without substantially increasing the cost ofthe product.

The package of the present disclosure generally includes a handleconnected to a plurality of lobes or subpackages. For instance, thehandle may form a bridge between two subpackages or between two pair ofsubpackages. Each subpackage can contain approximately the same amountof a consumable product or one subpackage may contain a first consumableproduct while the second subpackage may contain a different consumableproduct. In one embodiment, the subpackages may only be connected at oneend and may generally weigh about the same once filled with a consumableproduct. In this manner, the subpackages may be draped over an adjacentstructure, such as the edge of a shopping cart, for easily transportingthe packages while minimizing the amount of space the packages take upin the cart. The ends at which the subpackages are joined can alsoinclude a handle for easily grasping, moving and picking up the package.

Referring to FIG. 1, for instance, one embodiment of a packagedconsumable product generally 10 made in accordance with the presentdisclosure is shown. As illustrated, the product 10 includes an outerpackage 12 that comprises a first subpackage 14 and a second subpackage16. The first subpackage 14 and the second subpackage 16 are connectedtogether by a connecting member 18 at one end of each of thesubpackages. The connecting member 18 may be integral with the packagingmaterial as shown in FIG. 1, or may be attached to the top of eachsubpackage using any suitable means, such as by using an adhesive orthrough thermal or ultrasonic bonding.

Each subpackage contains a consumable product 20. The consumable product20 may comprise, for instance, diapers. It should be understood,however, that nearly any consumable product may be contained within theouter package 12. For instance, the outer package may also containtissue products, such as paper towels, bath tissue, or facial tissue.Alternatively, the package may contain feminine hygiene products,training pants, adult incontinence products, and the like. In stillother embodiments, the package may contain auxiliary baby products suchas wet wipes, disposable placemats, and other similar items.

Each of the subpackages 14 and 16 may contain the same consumableproduct or may contain different products. Further, each subpackage maycontain a mix of products if desired.

In one embodiment, once filled with one or more consumable products, thesubpackages 14 and 16 have substantially the same weight so as toprovide a balanced overall package. For instance, the weight of thefirst subpackage 14 may be within about 20%, such as within about 10%,such as within about 5% of the weight of the second subpackage 16.Similarly, the volume of each subpackage may be substantially the samedepending upon the consumable products being packaged. For instance, thevolume of the first subpackage 14 may be within about 20%, such aswithin about 10%, such as within about 5% of the volume of the secondsubpackage 16.

The outer package 12 may be made from any suitable material. Forinstance, in one embodiment, the outer package 12 is made from aflexible material, such as a polymer film, a coated paper, or a textilematerial. The textile material may comprise, for instance, one or morenonwoven webs. For instance, the outer package may be made from ameltblown web or may be made from a laminate comprising spunbond webs,meltblown webs, and mixtures thereof.

In order to carry the packaged product 10, the outer package 12 mayinclude a handle. For example, in one embodiment, the handle may beintegral with the connecting member 18. For instance, as shown in FIG.1, the connecting member 18 defines a first opening 22 and a secondopening 24. The openings 22 and 24 may be configured to receive thefingers and thumb of a hand for picking up and grasping the package.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, one manner in which the openings 22 and 24may form a handle is shown. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B,as the subpackages 14 and 16 are placed adjacent to one another, theconnecting member 18 may fold along a line that is equidistant from thefirst opening 22 and the second opening 24. In this manner, asparticularly shown in FIG. 3B, the openings 22 and 24 cooperate witheach other to form a handle for receiving the hand of a user.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the connecting member maydefine at least one perforation line 25. The perforation line 25 is forseparating the first subpackage 14 from the second subpackage 16. Inthis manner, after the package is purchased, a consumer can store theconsumable products at different locations.

The package 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1 is well suited to holdingrelatively large amounts of a consumable product. The products arecontained within the two subpackages in a manner that creates balancewith respect to the connecting member 18 and the handle formed by theopenings 22 and 24. The package 12 as shown in FIG. 1 is much easier tohandle than simply a large rectangular package, such as a cardboard box.In addition, the package can also provide various other benefits andadvantages. For instance, as shown in FIG. 2, each of the subpackagesmay be draped over the wall of a grocery cart for transporting thepackage through a retail store. In this manner, the consumable productonly takes up one half the space in the grocery cart in comparison to ifthe consumable product was contained all in a single rectangularpackage. Further, the package can be printed or otherwise display themanufacturer's product name and logo. In this manner, the manufacturerof the consumable product gains a benefit by having the packagedisplayed on the grocery cart as the cart is moved through the store.

In addition to the railing of a grocery cart, the subpackages may bedraped over various other adjacent structures and objects. For example,the package may be draped over the bar on a bicycle if desired. Thesubpackages may also be draped over a person's arm or shoulder in orderto carry and transport the package, especially when attempting to carryother items as well.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each end of each subpackage forms atriangular shape that is then attached to the connecting member 18. Theconnecting member 18, however, may be incorporated into the package inother manners. For instance, as shown in FIG. 4, the outer package 12includes an exterior surface that defines an inner surface portion 26that is located where the first and second subpackages lay adjacent toone another. The exterior surface of the outer package 12 furtherincludes an outer surface portion 28 that is opposite the inner surfaceportion. As shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the connecting member 18may extend from the outer surface portion 28 of each of the subpackages14 and 16. In this manner, if desired, the connecting member 18 may beintegral with the material that is used to form the outer surfaceportion 28.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the connecting member 18 may beattached to the inner surface portion 26 of each of the subpackages 14and 16. Again, if desired, the connecting member 18 may be integral withthe material used to form the inner surface portions.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, another embodiment of an outer packagemade in accordance with the present disclosure is shown. Like referencenumerals have been used to indicate the same or similar elements. Asshown, in this embodiment, the outer package 12 includes a firstsubpackage 14 connected to a second subpackage 16 by a connecting member18. In this embodiment, the connecting member 18 is at least partiallyformed from a rigid material, such as a foam material 30. The foammaterial may comprise, for instance, any suitable open cell or closedcell foam, such as a polystyrene foam or a urethane foam.

In addition to a foam material, it should be understood that theconnecting member in this embodiment can also be made from various otherrigid materials. As used herein, a rigid material refers to a materialcapable of being self supporting and maintaining its' shape under aload, such as the load of the package. Rigid materials as used hereinare opposite to flexible materials which refer to materials that mayeasily deform in shape, such as a polymer film. Other rigid materialsthat may be used to form the connecting member 18 as shown in FIGS. 6Aand 6B include rigid polymeric panels made from any suitablethermoplastic polymer or a paperboard material, such as cardboard.

If desired, as shown in FIG. 6A, the rigid substrate or foam material 30may be covered by a film material or a textile material 32. The outercovering 32, for instance, may comprise a polymer film or may comprise awoven, a knitted or a nonwoven material. In one particular embodiment,for instance, the foam substrate 30 is covered by a meltblown web or aspunbond web.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the connecting member18 may be integral with the material used to form the subpackages 14 and16. Alternatively, the connecting member 18 may be attached to thesubpackages using any suitable technique. For instance, the connectingmember may be attached to the subpackages by using an adhesive, throughthermal bonding, through ultrasonic bonding, or through a mixture ofboth. In still another embodiment, the connecting member 18 may bestitched to the subpackages 14 and 16. By covering the foam material 30with a nonwoven web, such as a meltblown web, the meltblown web allowsfor attachment of the connecting member 18 to the subpackages viathermal or ultrasonic bonding.

The connecting member 18 as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B may include a pairof openings 22 and 24 for serving as a handle. If desired, theconnecting member 18 may include a score line 34 that allows theconnecting member 18 to fold. For instance, as shown in FIG. 6B, whenthe subpackages 14 and 16 are placed adjacent to one another, the firstopening 22 cooperates with the second opening 24 to form a handle alongthe fold line 34.

Referring to FIG. 7, still another embodiment of a package forconsumable products made in accordance with the present disclosure isshown. Again, like reference numerals are used to indicate the same orsimilar elements.

In this embodiment, the outer package 12 includes a first subpackage 14connected to a second subpackage 16 by a connecting member 18. Integralwith the connecting member 18 are a pair of openings 22 and 24 whichserve as a handle. In this embodiment, the package 12 contains spirallywound tissue products 20 that may comprise, for instance, either papertowels or bath tissues. The spirally wound products 20 are arranged incolumns. Each column may contain one or a plurality of products. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 7, for instance, each column contains twoproducts. In accordance with this embodiment, each subpackage is furtherdivided into subcompartments that each contain a column of the spirallywound product 20.

For instance, subpackage 14 includes three subcompartments 40, 42 and44. Similarly, subpackage 16 contains three subcompartments 46, 48 and50. In this embodiment, each subcompartment is separated from the othersubcompartments by a perforation line 52. In this manner, a consumer candetach one of the subcompartments from the package during use of theproduct. In this manner, most of the product can remain protected in thepackage until actually needed by the consumer. It should be understood,however, that the package 12 as shown in FIG. 7 can contain any suitableconsumable product and is not limited for use with spirally woundproducts.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, still another embodiment of a package 12made in accordance with the present disclosure is shown. The package asillustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B is similar in construction to the package12 as shown in FIG. 7. In particular, the package 12 includes a firstsubpackage 14 connected to a second subpackage 16 by a connecting member18. Similar to FIG. 7, the package 12 contains spirally wound products20 packaged in columns.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, however, the handle forcarrying the package is not integral or connected to the connectingmember 18. Instead, the package 12 includes a first end panel 56attached to the first subpackage 14 and a second end panel 58 attachedto the second subpackage 16. The first end panel 56 defines an opening60, while the second end panel 58 defines an opening 62. As shown inFIG. 8B, when the first subpackage is folded adjacent to the secondsubpackage, the end panels 56 and 58 meet to form a handle. Inparticular, the opening 60 cooperates with the opening 62 to define apassage that is configured to receive a hand for carrying the package.If desired, each end panel 56 and 58 may include some type of engagementmechanism for attaching the two end panels together to form aconsolidated package. For instance, the two end panels 56 and 58 may beattached together using adhesive, by using hook and loop fasteners, orby using any suitable mechanical fastener.

Referring to FIG. 9, another embodiment of a package 12 made inaccordance with the present disclosure is shown. Like reference numeralshave been used to indicate the same or similar elements. The embodimentillustrated in FIG. 9 is similar to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1. The package 12 includes a first subpackage 14 spaced from asecond subpackage 16. A connecting member 18 connects the firstsubpackage 14 to the second subpackage 16.

As shown, the package 12 includes an exterior surface defining an innersurface portion 26 positioned adjacent the subpackages 14 and 16 and anouter surface portion 28. In this embodiment, in order to open thepackage, the package includes a plurality of perforation lines that aredesigned to be broken open by the consumer. For instance, in oneembodiment, the subpackages may include vertical perforation lines 80and/or 84 on the outer surface portion 28 of the package. Alternatively,or in addition to the vertical perforation lines, the package mayinclude horizontal perforation lines 82 also on the outer surfaceportion of the package.

In one embodiment, the perforation lines may be located on the innersurface portion 26 of the package. By being located on the inner surfaceportion 26, the perforation lines may be protected against accidentalrupture. For instance, the package may include vertical perforationlines 86 on the inner surface portion or may include horizontalperforation lines 87. The horizontal perforation line 87 as shown inFIG. 9 may be a particularly desirable location. For instance, theperforation line 87 is adjacent to the connecting member 18 and issomewhat protected by the connecting member 18 so as to prevent againstpremature rupture.

In still another embodiment, the package 12 may include perforationlines, such as perforation line 88, located at the end of thesubpackages. It should be understood that any such combination ofperforation lines may be included on the package to facilitate opening.Further, horizontal and vertical perforation lines may cooperatetogether on any of the surfaces of the package.

The length of the perforation lines may also vary depending upon theparticular application and the location of the perforation line. Forinstance, in one embodiment, the perforation line may only extend alonga portion of the length of the package or of the width of the package.In one particular embodiment as shown in FIG. 9, one of the surfaces ofthe package can include a first vertical perforation line 84 offset froma second perforation line 84B. Further, the perforation lines 84A and84B even together may not extend the full length of the packagealthough, alternatively, they may overlap along the length of thepackage.

Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, still another embodiment of a package 12made in accordance with the present disclosure is shown. Again, likereference numerals have been used to indicate the same or similarelements. In this embodiment, the package 12 includes a first subpackage14 connected to a second subpackage 16 by a connecting member 18. Inthis particular embodiment, the second subpackage 16 is divided intosubcompartments for containing the same or different products.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, openings 22 and 24are formed into the connecting member 18 in order to create a handle. Inparticular, in this embodiment, the openings 22 and 24 define curvedslits. As shown, the curved slits 22 and 24 are separated by a band 90.As particularly shown in FIG. 10B, the band 90 forms a handle forcarrying the package 12.

These and other modifications and variations to the present inventionmay be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which ismore particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, itshould be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may beinterchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is byway of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention sofurther described in such appended claims.

1-33. (canceled)
 34. A method for transporting a consumable productcomprising: providing a first group of consumable products contained ina first subpackage and a second group of consumable products containedin a second subpackage, the first subpackage being attached to thesecond package by a connecting member, the connecting member beingattached to or integral with the first subpackage at a top of the firstsubpackage and the connecting member being attached to or integral withthe second subpackage at a top of the second subpackage; and draping thefirst and second subpackages over an adjacent structure such that theadjacent structure contacts the connecting member and supports the firstand second subpackages for transporting the subpackages to a desiredlocation.
 35. A method as defined in claim 34, wherein the adjacentstructure comprises a railing located on a grocery cart.
 36. A method asdefined in claim 34, wherein the adjacent structure comprises a frame ona bicycle.
 37. A method as defined in claim 34, wherein the first groupof consumable products comprises diapers, tissue products, adultincontinence products, training pants, disposable swimming pants, orfeminine hygiene products.
 38. A method as defined in claim 34, whereinthe first subpackage and the second subpackage are each separated intosubcompartments.
 39. A method as defined in claim 38, wherein theconsumable products comprise spirally wound tissue products, a column ofspirally wound tissue products being contained in each of thesubcompartments.
 40. A method as defined in claim 34, wherein the firstsubpackage and the second subpackage are made from a material comprisinga film, a nonwoven material, or a coated paper.